Wish lists keep spending in check and help us make educated choices when making a fresh start. Fresh starts are usually filled with anticipation and excitement. When making a fresh start, I think we would all love to start over with all things new. I mean, new dish towels, new floor mats, new sheets and bedding, new furniture… it all sounds so lovely.
Unless you’ve won the lottery or inherited a great sum of money, this starting over process is probably beyond reality. However, if you’re of the generation who registered for wedding gifts, you can realistically reflect on that process and start a wish list you work through to create the fresh start home of your dreams.
Determine your style
I personally think starting over in every way possible is the most exciting way to start fresh. I believe it’s why vacations refresh us, staying with friends rejuvenates us, and restyling our homes boosts our moods. We tend to get into ruts. It’s easy to live every day and never think outside our boxes. So when starting fresh, whether it’s a downsize or cross-country move, determining your style is good first step. Wish lists can help!
Havenly has a GREAT online Interior design style quiz to help you find your personal style aesthetic. Amazon also allows you to shop by style – AND provides you with options and examples to help get you started. Like clean lines? Your style may be modern. Rolled arms and turned legs your thing? You might like traditional. Want your home to reflect a lifetime of travel and experiences? Boho or Eclectic may be your jam.
Whatever your style, determine that aesthetic and start from there.
Decide your color palette
Color palettes are the easiest to build in my opinion. Believe me, I’ve tried more than my share. When we were first married it was the early 90’s and “Country Sampler” was the place to get inspiration. Imagine duck with blue bonnets and mauve carpet. Yep. We did that.
Times changed and Tuscan Old World decor was the new hotness. So we transitioned to dark greens, persimmon oranges, and olive jars. OH! Let’s not forget the coffee house theme for the kitchen!
Next came a more pared back version of ourselves… our kids were small and we wanted fewer things. I think we went a whole decade without any real decor style or palette.
Then I found organic modern. I have to say – it is the most comfortable place for me, and I truly LOVE this look. The colors are muted and neutral, but I can add in touches of greens or blues whenever the feeling hits.
Wish lists don’t have to be directly linked to a specific store or manufacturer. In fact, most of my wish lists are on Pinterest boards I create. If I’m thinking of a room refresh, I ‘build’ it out first on Pinterest, and when I’m ready, I source my favorites from mood boards.
Do your research before creating your wish list
Whatever style or color palette you choose, make sure you’re being true to your personal love of decor, and work to keep your home cohesive. Here are 10 steps to a more cohesive home that will be certain to help guide you.
You want the items you choose, try to imagine them in multiple places in your home. Throw pillows for the sofa could easily be swapped for the ones in the bedroom. An area rug in the kitchen could easily transform a spare bedroom. The idea is to have a cohesive color palette, and also a style that can transition from room to room, while also remaining classic to last you for years to come.
Define your wish list
Next, start your daydream. Define your wish list. You don’t have to limit yourself to one place – in fact, a curated home will source its decor from multiple places. I always like to go for a high v low approach when I can, and I love a good dupe. But truly, it never hurts to allow yourself a splurge now and then. Just keep it reigned in, and don’t go overboard.
Here are some of our favorite places to source home decor:
- Amazon Home – can create a wish list
- Crate and Barrel – can create a registry
- RH
- West Elm – can create a registry
- Antique shops
Why not start dreaming today? Starting over can be an amazing experience. Find your style, determine your color palette, do a little research (that’s the fun part) and build your list.
Happy Dreaming, friends!
